Taping machine



Feb. 28, 1933. w P, OSGOOD 1,899,651

TAPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1930 Patented Feb. 28, 1933 TUNITEDSTATESPATENT OFFICE WALTER P. OSGOOD, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, .ASSIGNOR TOBOSTON 'MACHINE WORKS COMPANY, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CCRPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS TAIING MACHINE Application filed September '12, 1930;Serial No. 481,377.

The presentinvention relates to .machines which are used to apply astrip to a piece of sheet material, and more particularly to tapingmachines which are used in the manufacture of shoes toapply a strip oftape to a shoe upper part. 7

Such taping machines are usually provided witha support'for a piece ofsheet material towhich the tape is to be applied, means for applying thetape to'the material and for feeding the tapedmaterial, and means forguiding the tapetothe applying means. As the tape is coated with anadhesive on one face and is stored in the machine for use in a coilconsiderable'force must be employed to unwind the tape therefrom.Experience has demonstrated that it is impracticable to rely on theapplying means to pull the sticky tape from the coil as the pullingforce required causes thetape todrum-head between the applying means andthe means for guiding the tape thereto, thus seriously interfering withthe ability of the applying means toapply the tape properly. to thesheet of mate rial. Heretofore it has been proposed to providethe'machine with a separate device for pulling a predetermined length ofthe tape from the coil in timed relation with the applying means." Butas the length of the tape applied to thesheetof material by the applyingmeans varied in accordance with the thickness of successive sheets andas the length of the tape pulled off the coil by the pull-off device wasfixed either too short or too long a length of the tape waspulled offthe coil thereby. When too little tape was pulled from the coil, theapplying means had to make up the deficit, thus causing a portion of thetape to drum-head between the applying means and the means for guidingthe tape thereto. when too much tape was pulled from the coil by thepull-off device a loop of slack accumulated which was liable to becomeentangled in the moving parts of the machine. Analyzing this diificulty,it is apparent that the tension on the tape withdrawn from the source ofsupply varied.

The principal object of the present invention is to produce a machine ofthe class described in which the tension on the strip withdrawn from thesource of supply is uniform.

Broadly considered the tension on the strip withdrawn from the source ofsupply may be maintained uniform by correlatingthe operations of thepull-off device and the applying means. It is preferred, however, tooperate the pull-off so that it draws a longer strip from the source ofsupply in a single step than the applying means uses up in a singlestep, and to suspend the operation of the pulloff intermittently toprevent an excessive accumulation.

Other features of the present invention reside in certain devices,combinations and ar rangements of parts hereinafter described and'thenset forth broadly and in detail in the appended claims which possessadvantages re'adilyapparent to those skilled in the art.

V The various features of the present invention will be understoodreadily from an inspection of the accompanying drawing illustrating thebest form of the invention at present known to the inventor,-in which,

Figure l is a view in front elevation of a combined seam taping andpressing machine to which the presentinvention is applied, for thepurpose of disclosure, the loop of withdrawntape being exaggeratedto fa-Y showing how further ,movement of the ratchet in its orbital pathcauses the pawl to rotate the ratchet.

The machine herein shown for performing the combined seam-pressing andtaping operation is similar in many respects to the taping machineillustrated in my Patent No. 1,691,498, dated November 13,1928. Thispatent is provided with a grooved work support in the form of a rollover which the sheet of material to be taped is fed, means to apply tothe sheet an adhesively coated tape, and a presser member which has amovement toward and from the work support and which by such movement aplies the tape progressively to the sheet an at the same time feeds thetaped sheet forward. Inasmuch as the machine embodyin the presentinvention is similar to that the patent hereinbefore identified, I havenot deemed it necessary to illustrate the complete ma-. chine herein,but have shown a suflicient portion thereof to disclose adequately thevarious features of the present invention.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing 5 desi ates the roll over which the seamedsheet 0 material is fed. The tape which is to be applied to the sheetduring the seam pressing operation is indicated at 6 and it isillustrated as a strip having one face coated adhesively so that it isnormally tacky to cause it to adhere to the his seam under ressure.

The pressing of the seam and the applying of the tape thereto areaccomplished y the combined action of the work support 5 and a pressingmember 7. The pressing member 7 is secured to ahead member 8, or lever,which has a vertical movement and also an oscillating movement. Theoscillating head 8 is mounted on the main frame 9 of the machine and itreceives its oscillating movement from an eccentric 10 on a drivingshaft 11 carried by the main frame. The head 8 is provided with a slot12 through which extends a stud 13 fast on the main frame 9, said studhaving a block 14 which is slidably mounted in the slot 12 and isjournalled on the stud 13. As the shaft 11 is rotated the bccehtrie 1'0gives the head 8 an up and down movement and also a rocking movement,

said movements causing the face of the pressiag member 7 to move towardand from the war! on the work support and also to have a seeking orrolling contact with the work.

The work is guided into the machine by a rehiflient seam crease guide 15and by a seam rid e guide 16. The tape is guided to the war by a tapedelivery means 17 The tape is coiled in a roll 18, constituting thesource of supply, which is loosely mounted on a cylindrical support 19mounted loosely in turn on the stud 20 of a reel 21 carried by an arm 22rising from the main frame 9. From the coil 18 the tape passes under aflanged drum or roll 23 the milled surface of which engages the stickyface of the tape.

e drum 23 is loosely mounted on a stud 24 which is screwed into the head8. One face of the drum 23 is provided with a ratchet 2h which is heldfrom movement in a clockwise directionby a pawl 26. The pawl 26 isloosely mounted on a stud 27 secured to a plate 28 (Fig. 1) carried bythe stud 24. The pawl 26 is held engaged with the ratchet by a spring29, coiled about the stud 24,

erally from an arm 32 looeel moun on a stud 33 secured to the main ranie9. From the roll the ta is conducted to the tape gzlivzery means 1 andto the pressing mem- From the construction described it is apparent, asthe drum 23 is free to rotate in a contra-clockwise direction viewingFig. 1, that during the feed of the work over the work support 5 by thepreesing member 7 there is a tendency for the pressm member to pull tapefrom the roll 18 at eac feeding step. But, as the tacky face of the tapein the coil 18 is stuck to the non-tac face in an adjacent convolution,conside leaforce is required to unwindthe tape from the coil. It is,therefore, undesirable to rely upon the pressing member 7 to pull tafrom the source of supply as the pulling orce exerted thereby woulddrum-head the tape between the work and the tape deliver means 17 andthus interfere with the app 'cation of the tape to the work. 1

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention the roll 23 isrotated in a manner presently to be described to unwind the tape fromthe coil 18 and to produce an auxil iary supply of slack tape which isused up as needed by the pressing member 7 Figs; shows the loo of slacktape engaged by the take-up 30. he takeup engages the slack tape underthe mild tension of a coiled spring 34 one end of which engages a pin 35on the arm 32 and the other end of which engages a bracket 36 secured tothe main frame 9. Movement of the take-up 30 under the infiuence of thespring 34 is limited by a screw 37 adjustably secured to the bracket 36.

' As the pull-0H 23 is mounted on the head 8 the pull-off ratchet 25moves in an orbital path during the vertical reciprocation and lateraloscillation of the head 8. In order to rotate the ull-ofi 23 duringthese movements of the he the stud 33 loosely carries a pawl 38. Asshown in Fig. 2 the hubs of the arm 32 and the pawl 38 interfit, therebeing a space between the hubs to allow the take-up 30 and the pawl 38to move relatively. Coiled about the hubs of the arm 32 and the pawl 38is a spring 39 one end of which engages the arm 32 and the other end ofwhich engages the pawl 38.

Fig. 2 shows the pawl 38 withdrawn from the orbital path of the ratchet25.- This is due to the position of the take-up or fceler 30 which isheld in engagement with the loop of withdrawn tape by the light sprin34. In consequenceno tape is pulled from t e source of supply by theroll 23 which is stationary during the operation of the tape applyingand seam pressing member 7 As the slack in the loop of withdrawntapeengaged by the take-up 30 is used up by the pressing member 7 thetake-up 30 is moved by the tape'against the light tension of the spring34 until the pawl 38 is moved into the orbital path of the ratchet 25,as shown in Fig. 3, when the pawl 38 engages a tooth in the ratchet 25.Then as the ratchet continues to move downward ly and laterally the pawl38 rotates the ratchet 25 and the roll 23 to draw tape from the coil 18.During the movement of the ratchet 25 in engagement with the pawl 38 thespring 39 enables the pawl 38 to yield relatively to the take-up 30.Thus, rotation of the pulloff 23 does not increase the tension of thetake-up on the tape engaged thereby.

In order to prevent the ratchet 25 from riding over the pawl. 38 duringthe movement of the head 8 the bracket 36' carries an adjustable screw40 which limits the movement of the pawl 38 into the orbital path of theratchet 25.

In order to control the pull-off stroke of the pull-off 23 the pawl 38is made in two parts l1 and 42 so that they may be adjustedlongitudiiially through the screw and slot connecti on 43. The selectedadjusted position of the parts 41 and 42 is maintained by a drift 4-1,herein shown as a wedge block, interposed bctween the head of the pawl38 and one end of the part 41.

In the illustrated. embodiment of the invention the stroke of thepull-0E 23 is such that more tape is pulled from the coil 18 in a singlestroke thereof t ian is used up by the pressing member 7 in a singlefeeding step thereof. Nith such a construction and mode of operation thewithdrawn tape is bound to accumulate. But as the spring 34 maintainsthe take-up 3O engaged with the withdrawn tape during its-accumulationthe pawl 38 is with drawn from the orbital path of the ratchet 25 andthe operation of the pull-off 23 suspended. When the pressing member 7eats into the accumulation of withdrawn tape the pawl 38 is replaced inthe orbital path of the ratchet 25 and the pull-off 23 is rotated againto withdraw more tape. In the preferred mode of operation the pull-off23 operates in timed relation with the pressing member 7 duringsuccessive cycles varying in number depending upon prevailing conditionsand then the operation of the pull-off 23 is sus pended for one cycle,or, it may-be, successive cycles, depending again on the prevailingconditions. Thus, while the pressing member 7 is operated periodicallythe pull-off 23 is operated non-periodically.

at will be apparent to those skilled in the art that with thisconstruction and mode of operation the tensionon the'tape, between thepull-off 23 and the pressin member 7, herein called the withdrawn tape,is uniform notwithstanding variations in the length of tape applied tothe work by the pressing member.

Nothing herein explained is to be interpreted as limiting the variousfeatures of the present invention in the scope of its application to usein connection with'the particular machine or the particular mode ofoperation or both selected for purposes of illustration and explanation.While the particulars of construction herein set forth are well suitedto one mechanical form of the invention and to the use to which it isput, it is not lim ited to this use, nor to these details ofconstruction, nor to the conjoint use of all its features, nor is it tobe undersood that these particulars are essential since they may bemodified within the skill of the artisan without departing from the truescope of theactual invent-ion, characterizing features of which are setforth in the following claims by the intentional use of generic termsand expressions inclusive of various modifications. What is claimed asnew, is:

1. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a supportfor a piece of sheet material to which a reinforcing strip is to beapplied, means for applying the strip to the material and for feedingthe reinforced ma terial, and means for maintaining a uniform tension onthe strip during its application and feed.

2; A machine of the class described having, in combination, a supportfor a piece of sheet material to which a reinforcing strip is to beapplied, means for applying the strip to the material and for feedingthe reinforced material, a pull-off for drawing the strip from a sourceof supply, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on thewithdrawnstrip.

3. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a supportfor a piece of sheet material towhich a reinforcing strip is to beapplied, means for applying the strip to the material and for feedingthereinforced material, a pull-off for drawing the strip from a sourceof supply, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on the withdrawnstrip betweenthe pull-oil and the applying and feeding means.

, 4. A machine of the class described having,

in combination, mechanism for drawing a strip of mate-rial from a sourceof supply, mechanism for using up the withdrawn strip, and means foroperating said mechanisms non-periodically and periodically,respectively.

5. A machine of the classdescribed having, in combination, mechanismfor. drawing a strip of material from a source of supply, mechanism forusing up the withdrawn strip, and means controlled by the withdrawnstrip for operating the strip drawing mechanism non-periodically,

6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, mechanismfor drawing a strip from a source of supply, mechanism for using up thewithdrawn strip, and a withdrawn strip take-up mechanism for operatingthe strip drawing mechanism nonperiodically.

. 7. A machine of the class described having, in combination, mechanismfor drawing a strip from a source of supply, mechanism for using up thewithdrawn strip, a device for maintaining the withdrawn strip undertension, and means controlled by said device for operating the stripdrawing mechanism nomperiodically.

8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, mechanismfor drawing a stri from a source of supply and for producm an auxiliarysource of supply, mechanism or using up the withdrawn strip in theauxiliary source of supply, and means controlled by the strip in theauxiliary source of supply for throwing the strip drawing mechanism intoand out of operation.

9. A machine of the class described having, in combination, mechanismfor drawing a strip from a source of supply, mechanism for using up thewithdrawn strip, said mechanism operating in a step by step manner, thefirst named mechanism rawing a longer stri in a singlestep than thesecond named mec ism uses up in a single step, and mechanism forsuspending the operation of the first named mechanism intermittently.

10. A machine of the class described having, in combination, mechanismfor drawing a strip from a source of supply, mechanism for using up thewithdrawn st rip, said mechanisms operating in a step by step manner,the first named mechanism drawing a longer strip in a single step thanthe second named mechanism uses u in a single step, and mechanism fordetermining the time of operation of the first named mechanism.

11. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rollengaged with the sticky face of a strip of reinforcing material fordrawing it from a source of supply, mechanism for using up the withdrawnstrip, an means for determining the time of operation of the roll. I

12. A machine of the class described havin in combination, a rollengaged with a st1cky face of a strip of reinforcing material fordrawing it from a source of supply, mechanism for using up the withdrawnstrip, an means engaged with the withdrawn strip for separating thestrip from the roll and for determining the time of operation of theroll.

13. A taping machine having, in combina tion, a roll for drawing tapefrom a source of supply, a ratchet for rotating the roll, mechanism formoving the roll and ratchet in a path, mechanism for using up thewithdrawn tape, a feeler engaged with the withdrawn tape and a pawlcontrolled by the feeler, the feeler acting when the supply of withdrawntape is low to move the pawl into the path of the ratchet.

14. A taping machine having, in combination, a roll for drawing tapefrom a source of supply, a ratchet for rotating the roll, mechanism formoving the roll and the ratchet in an orbital path, mechanism for usingup the withdrawn tape, a feeler engaged with the withdrawn tape and apawl controlled b the feeler, the feeler acting when the supp y ofwithdrawn tape is low to move the pawl into the path of the ratchet.

15. A taping machine having, in combination, a roll for drawing ta froma source of supp] a ratchet for rotating the roll, a awl mova 1e intoand out of engagement wit the ratchet, a feeler engaged with thewithdrawn tape for controlling the movement of the pawl, and mechanismfor relatively moving the ratchet and the pawl engaged therewith.

16. A taping machine having, in combination, an operating tool, a levermounted and actuated to impart a four-motion operation thereto, a rollfor drawing tape from a source of supply mounted on the lever, a ratchetfor rotating the roll, a pawl mounted independently of the lever movableinto and out of engagement with the ratchet, and a feeler engaged withthe withdrawn tape for controllin the movement of the pawl.

1 A taping machine having, in combination, mechanism for drawing tapefrom a source of sup ly and producing a 100 of slack tape, a eelerengaged with the oop, mechanism for using up the withdrawn tape andthereby reducing the size of the loop, means controlled by the feelerfor operating the tape drawing mechanism to produce more slack in timedrelation with the mechanism for using up the withdrawn tape, and meansfor causing the feeler to maintain its engagement with the loop as itlengthens and stop further withdrawal of the tape from the source ofsupply.

I 18. A taping machine having, in combination, a moving lever, a rollmounted thereon, a ratchet for rotating the roll, a pawl mountedindependently of the lever, and means for moving the pawl intoengagement with the ratchet whereby movement of the lever causes thepawl to operate the ratchet.

19. "A taping machine having, in combinad tion, a lever, a pivottherefore, means for oscillating the lever on its pivot and forreciprocating the pivot, a roll mounted on the lever, a ratchet forrotating the roll, a pawl mounted independently of the lever, and meansformoving the pawl into engagement with the ratchet whereby the combinedoscillating and reciprocating movements of the lever causes the pawlthrough the ratchet to rotate the roll.

, 20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a supportfor a piece of sheet material to which a reinforcing strip is tobeapplied, means for applying the strip to the material and for feedingthe strip and the material, and positive means for pulling off a longerlength of strip from a source of supply than is fed by the applying andfeeding means. 7

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER P. OSGOOD.

